In response to recent tragic vehicular accidents that resulted in multiple fatalities, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to conduct a thorough study on increasing the insurance coverage for private vehicles. The move aims to bolster public safety and provide greater financial assistance to victims of road accidents.
The President’s directive follows a proposal from the Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (ALTODAP), which suggested aligning the insurance coverage for private vehicles with the more substantial benefits currently provided to public utility vehicle (PUV) passengers under the Passenger Personal Accident Insurance (PPAI) program.
Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro announced the President’s instruction during a press briefing in Malacañang. “The President has instructed DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon to carefully study the proposal regarding higher insurance coverage for private vehicles,” Undersecretary Castro stated. “This is for the additional protection of all those who may become victims of negligence or accidents on the road.”
Under the existing PPAI policy, PUV passengers are entitled to insurance coverage of up to PhP400,000 in case of fatality and PhP100,000 for injuries. In stark contrast, the Compulsory Third Party Liability (CTPL) insurance, which is mandatory for all private vehicles, currently offers a total coverage of only PhP200,000, regardless of the number of victims involved in an accident.
ALTODAP’s call for increased coverage was prompted by the recent back-to-back fatal incidents, including accidents along the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, where ten lives were lost, and at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1, which tragically claimed two more lives, including a young child.
Undersecretary Castro emphasized that the DOTr will carefully evaluate the urgency and importance of the proposal to enhance public protection. “This is being studied carefully to determine if it is appropriate and timely,” she affirmed.
The directive from President Marcos underscores the government’s commitment to improving road safety and ensuring adequate support for individuals and families affected by vehicular accidents. The study by the DOTr is expected to assess the feasibility and potential impact of increasing private vehicle insurance coverage to better protect the public.
